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EP4629949A1 - Non-tissé à ouvertures et articles absorbants le comprenant - Google Patents

Non-tissé à ouvertures et articles absorbants le comprenant

Info

Publication number
EP4629949A1
EP4629949A1 EP22840009.9A EP22840009A EP4629949A1 EP 4629949 A1 EP4629949 A1 EP 4629949A1 EP 22840009 A EP22840009 A EP 22840009A EP 4629949 A1 EP4629949 A1 EP 4629949A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
nonwoven
nonwoven substrate
layer
fibers
apertures
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22840009.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Xiaoxin LIU
Tong TONG
Xiaohui Dong
Kun Sun
Fancheng Wang
Sijia Wang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP4629949A1 publication Critical patent/EP4629949A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/51—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the outer layers of the pads
    • A61F13/511—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
    • A61F13/5116—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin being formed of multiple layers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/15203—Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/15577—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/51—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the outer layers of the pads
    • A61F13/511—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
    • A61F13/512—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations
    • A61F13/5123—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations the apertures being formed on a multilayer top sheet
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/51—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the outer layers of the pads
    • A61F13/511—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
    • A61F13/512—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations
    • A61F13/5126—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations characterised by the planar distribution of the apertures, e.g. in a predefined pattern
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/51—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the outer layers of the pads
    • A61F13/511—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
    • A61F13/513—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin characterised by its function or properties, e.g. stretchability, breathability, rewet, visual effect; having areas of different permeability
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/51—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the outer layers of the pads
    • A61F13/511—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
    • A61F13/512—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations
    • A61F2013/5128—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations characterized by open targets or acquisitions or vulnerability zones

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to nonwoven, and an absorbent article comprising the nonwoven.
  • Absorbent articles have been used as personal hygiene products, such as sanitary napkins, infant disposable diapers, training pants for toddlers, adult incontinence undergarments, and the like. Such absorbent articles are designed to absorb and contain body exudates, in particularly large quantities of urine, runny BM, and/or menses (together the “fluids” ) . These absorbent articles may comprise several layers providing different functions, for example, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, among other layers (e.g., acquisition layer, distribution layer, etc. ) as desired.
  • Nonwovens are widely used as components such as topsheets constituting absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, infant disposable diapers, personal care disposable diapers, and the like.
  • Various nonwovens have been suggested for use as topsheets for absorbent articles from the standpoints of skin sensation, a feeling of dryness, comfort, absorption of expelled bodily fluids, and/or prevention of fluid flow-back.
  • topsheets in absorbent articles One of design criteria of topsheets in absorbent articles is to reduce the amount of time the fluids spend on the topsheets prior to being absorbed by the absorbent article. If the fluids remain on the surfaces of the topsheets for too long of a period of time, wearers may feel unpleasant wetness and discomfort may increase. Another desirable quality of topsheets is prevention of fluid flow-back through a topsheet and provision of dryness feel. Meanwhile, topsheets acquire and retain some fluid in small capillaries that might exist between fibers which may be visually perceptible to the user of the product as an undesirable stain. It is also a desirable characteristic of absorbent article to present a clean user contacting surface with less stain.
  • hydrophilic topsheet exhibits a faster acquisition speed compared to a hydrophobic topsheet, however, it tends to cause unpleasant wetness sensation as it traps or retains the fluid, and/or the fluid is flow-back through a topsheet due to high affiliation of constituting fibers to the fluid. Therefore, absorbent articles having hydrophobic topsheets may be preferred by some consumers because they provide dryness feel and good blurring and stain masking benefits regarding menses/urine staining however hydrophobic topsheets absorb the fluid only via capillary force which leads to slower acquisition speed and causes fluid leakage problems.
  • Nonwoven topsheets having a hydrophobic upper layer and a hydrophilic bottom layer were suggested for enhancing transfer of the body fluid from the top surface toward the bottom surface of the topsheet and eventually to the absorbent core.
  • WO2018/167883 discloses an absorbent article comprising a laminate nonwoven which comprises a first surface facing the skin of the wearer, the first surface comprising a hydrophobic first layer, and a second surface comprising a hydrophilic second layer.
  • the first and second layers are heat fused together at heat-bonded points where the laminate nonwoven has a thickness smaller than that of peripheral portions, and the first layer has inter-fiber fusion bonded points where constituent fibers of the first layer are fused together, and have a thickness smaller than that of a peripheral portions.
  • US20160067118A discloses an apertured nonwoven laminate for use in an absorbent article, the nonwoven laminate comprising a hydrophobic first nonwoven layer and a hydrophilic second nonwoven layer.
  • topsheet of absorbent articles providing a rapid fluid acquisition speed at the same time to alleviate back flow of the body fluid and reduce the unpleasant rewet.
  • topsheet of absorbent articles providing improved stain masking so that it can provide a clean user contacting surface without compromising fluid handling properties such as a rapid fluid acquisition speed and mitigated rewet.
  • topsheet of absorbent articles providing smooth and soft sensation without comprising fluid handling properties such as a rapid fluid acquisition speed and mitigated rewet.
  • the present invention provides a nonwoven substrate having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, and comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein the top surface has a first contact angle of no lower than about 90 degrees as measured according to Contact Angle Test, wherein the bottom surface has a second contact angle of lower than about 90 degrees as measured according to Contact Angle Test, and wherein the plurality of apertures comprise at least one aperture having at least three adjacent apertures that are spaced apart from by an edge-to-edge space no greater than about 2.5mm.
  • the present invention also provides an absorbent article comprising a wearer facing surface, a garment facing surface, a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the topsheet comprises a nonwoven substrate of the present invention, the topsheet being disposed in such a way that the first layer of the nonwoven substrate forms at least part of the wearer facing surface.
  • Fig. 1A is a schematic view of a nonwoven having a first layer and a second layer in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 1B is a schematic view of a three-dimensional nonwoven having a first layer and a flat second layer in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a top schematic view of an exemplary nonwoven constituting a topsheet.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-section image of an exemplary nonwoven of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4A is a top schematic view of another nonwoven.
  • Fig. 4B is a top schematic view of another nonwoven.
  • Fig. 5 is a top schematic view of another nonwoven.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary absorbent article.
  • Fig. 7 is a lateral cross-section view along 7-7 of the absorbent article of Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 8A is an image of an exemplary water droplet having a contact angle greater than 90 degrees according to Contact Angle Test method disclosed herein.
  • Fig. 8B is an image of an exemplary water droplet having a contact angle no greater than 90 degrees according to Contact Angle Test method disclosed herein.
  • Fig. 9A is a perspective view of a strikethrough plate for acquisition time measurement.
  • Fig. 9B is a plan view of the strikethrough plate of Fig. 9A.
  • Fig. 9C is a plan view of a 9C-9C direction cross section of the strikethrough plate of Fig. 9B.
  • Fig. 9D is a plan view of part pf the strikethrough plate of Fig. 9B.
  • Fig. 9E is a plan view of a 9E-9E direction cross section of the strikethrough plate of Fig. 9B.
  • absorbent articles include disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads, interlabial pads, breast-milk pads, sweat sheets, animal-use excreta handling articles, animal-use diapers, and the like.
  • a carded nonwoven utilizes fibers which are cut to a specific length, otherwise known as “staple length fibers. ” Staple length fibers may be any suitable length. For example, staple length fibers may have a length of up to 120 mm or may have a length as short as 10 mm. However, if a particular group of fibers are staple length fibers, for example viscose fibers, then the length of each of the viscose fibers in the carded nonwoven is predominantly the same, i.e. the staple length.
  • the length of each of the polypropylene fibers in the carded nonwoven is also predominantly the same. But the staple length of the viscose and the staple length of the polypropylene may be different.
  • continuous filaments such as by spunbonding or meltblowing processes, do not create staple length fibers. Instead, these filaments are of an indeterminate length and are not cut to a specific length as noted regarding their staple fiber length counterparts.
  • the “longitudinal” direction is a direction running parallel to the maximum linear dimension, typically the longitudinal axis, of the article and includes directions within 45° of the longitudinal direction. “Length” of the article or component thereof, when used herein, generally refers to the size/distance of the maximum linear dimension, or typically to the size/distance of the longitudinal axis, of an article or part thereof.
  • the “lateral” or “transverse” direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the same plane of the majority of the article and the longitudinal axis, and the transverse direction is parallel to the transverse axis.
  • “Width” of the article or of a component thereof when used herein, refers to the size/distance of the dimension orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the article or component thereof, i.e. orthogonal to the length of the article or component thereof, and typically it refers to the distance/size of the dimension parallel of the transverse axis of the article or component.
  • hydrophilic and “hydrophobic” have meanings that are well established in the art with respect to the contact angle of water on the surface of a material.
  • a material having a water contact angle of greater than about 90° as measured by Contact Angle Test is considered hydrophobic, and a material having a water contact angle of less than about 90° as measured by Contact Angle Test is considered hydrophilic.
  • Nonwoven of the present invention comprises a top surface, an opposite bottom surface, and comprising a plurality of apertures.
  • the top surface of the nonwoven has a first contact angle of no lower than about 90 degrees as measured according to Contact Angle Test, and the bottom surface of the nonwoven has a second contact angle of lower than about 90 degrees as measured according to Contact Angle Test.
  • the plurality of apertures comprise at least one aperture having at least three adjacent apertures that are spaced apart from by an edge-to-edge space no greater than about 2.5mm.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention when it is used as a topsheet of an absorbent article provides a fast fluid acquisition speed while maintaining preferable low rewet.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention may provide improved stain masking so that it can present a clean user contacting surface.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention may provide a soft and smooth skin feel by employing fine denier fibers at least for the first layer.
  • the advantageous properties of the nonwoven of the present invention may be achieved by introducing surface anergy difference by the top surface having a first contact angle of no lower than about 90 degrees as measured according to Contact Angle Test, and the bottom surface of the nonwoven having a second contact angle of lower than about 90 degrees as measured according to Contact Angle Test.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention may comprise a first layer comprising a first surface forming the top surface of the nonwoven, and a second surface forming the bottom surface of the nonwoven.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention may comprise a first layer which forms the top surface of the nonwoven and comprises, and a second layer which forms the bottom surface of the nonwoven and comprises hydrophilic fibers.
  • the fiber constituting the nonwoven substrate of the present invention the configurations of the first and the optional second layer, and a method for manufacturing the nonwoven, and an absorbent article having the nonwoven substrate are described.
  • the first layer and the second layer may form a unitary structure, or may remain as discrete layers which may be attached at least partially to each other by, for example, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding or a combination thereof.
  • a unitary structure herein intends to mean that although it may be formed by several sub-layers that have distinct properties and/or compositions from one another, they are somehow intermixed at the boundary region so that, instead of a definite boundary between sub-layers, it would be possible to identify a region where the different sub-layers transition one into the other.
  • Such a unitary structure is typically built by forming the various sub-layers one on top of the other in a continuous manner, for example using air laid or wet laid deposition. Or each of sub-layer is produced in a separate step and the sub-layers are combined together in a face to face relationship.
  • the sub-layers combined can be integrated via a known integration or bonding process such as spunlacing processes, hydroentangling, calendar bonding, through-air bonding and resin bonding.
  • layer layers
  • sub-layer sub-layer
  • stratum stratum
  • the nonwoven of the present invention may have various structures.
  • the nonwoven 30 comprises a top surface 32, a bottom surface 34, a first layer 1 forming the top surface 32, a second layer 2 forming the bottom surface 34, and plurality of apertures 5.
  • nonwoven 30 may have unitary structure, and the first layer 1 and the second layer 2 are intermixed at the boundary between the first layer 1 and the second layer 2 instead of having a definite boundary between the two layers.
  • the nonwoven 30 may be a laminate comprising two separate layers, a first layer 1 and a second layer 2 which are bonded to each other in a face to face relationship.
  • the laminate has a definite boundary between the two layers.
  • the nonwoven 30 may comprise land area 8 between the majority of the apertures 5, and/or protrusion 9.
  • the land area 8 may be substantially flat.
  • the majority of the protrusions 9 may protrude outwardly from the land area 8 of the nonwoven 30.
  • the plurality of the protrusions 9 may be uniformly distributed on the top surface 32 of the nonwoven 30.
  • the plurality of the protrusions 9 may be unevenly distributed and form a shape or a pattern on the top surface 32 of the nonwoven 30.
  • the majority of the protrusions 9 may be surrounded by at least one land area 8 and/or a plurality of apertures 5.
  • the land area 8, apertures 5 and protrusion 9 may form a three-dimensional surface on the top surface 32 the nonwoven 30.
  • the majority of the protrusions 9 may be hollow.
  • the protrusions 9 When viewing from the first surface 3 of the first layer 1, the protrusions 9 are protrude from the land area 8 of the first layer 1 in the same direction and the first layer 1 and the second layer 2 are spaced sway.
  • the hollow between the first layer 1 and the second layer 2 may improve breathability of the nonwoven.
  • the nonwoven described herein is incorporated into an absorbent article, the plurality of protrusions may protrude toward the skin of the wearer when the article is in use and away from the absorbent core of the absorbent article.
  • This three-dimensional structure of the nonwoven provides better softness to the nonwoven.
  • the nonwoven described herein when used as a topsheet in an absorbent article, it also helps maintain the skin of the wearer away from body fluids in the land area as the protrusions essentially create a space between the skin of the wearer and the body fluids.
  • the nonwoven 30 may comprise a plurality of non-aperture areas each of which has substantially no aperture.
  • the nonwoven 30 may comprise non-aperture areas, land area 8 in this case, which has no aperture.
  • the non-aperture area may fully surround the apertures.
  • the non-aperture area may together form a generally continuous grid throughout the top surface of the nonwoven, while the apertures may be discrete elements dispersed in and surrounded by the continuous grid.
  • the non-aperture areas 8 may be a plurality of discrete areas defined by apertures and in a repeated pattern.
  • Non-aperture areas in a repeated pattern provides better dryness feeling to wearer’s skin while with reduced risk of fluid leakage caused by fluid run-off.
  • it is more appealing to the consumers and/or is more likely to convey to the consumers an improved sense of premiumness as well as improved sense of breathability, softness, absorbency and distinctiveness.
  • Each of the plurality of discrete non-aperture areas is defined by a periphery formed by a continuous line of apertures, with at least 80%, or at least 90%of apertures has an adjacent aperture being spaced apart by an edge-to-edge distance of no more than 3 mm.
  • the non-aperture area may be a flat land area or a protrusion.
  • the nonwoven according to the present invention may have at least 2.5%of open area, or at least 3%of open area.
  • the apertures of the nonwoven may have an open area no greater than about 10%, or no greater than 8%.
  • the hydrophobic fibers constituting the first layer has a denier no greater than 1.5 denier. With small denier fibers on the first layer forming the top surface or the nonwoven, the nonwoven can provide superior softness and smoothness.
  • the hydrophobic fibers constituting the first layer may have a denier no greater than a denier of the hydrophilic fibers constituting the second layer.
  • Capillarity energy is one of common consideration in nonwoven topsheet for better absorbing performance.
  • nonwoven topsheet is described to have a capillarity gradient from a top surface to a bottom surface to enlarge capillarity energy.
  • a common nonwoven design to create a capillarity gradient is to make a lower portion of the nonwoven topsheet being more condense, with smaller pours size or more fine denier fiber than an upper portion of the nonwoven topsheet. Meanwhile, it is preferred that an upper portion of nonwoven is formed by fine denier fibers which can endow a soft and smooth touch feel.
  • nonwoven of the present invention can overcome this contradiction by introducing a surface energy gradient, that is by introducing high hydrophilicity gradient from top to bottom, and getting the top layer and the bottom layer fully integrated together.
  • Apertures comprising at least one aperture having at least three adjacent apertures that are spaced apart from by an edge-to-edge space no greater than about 2.5mm may also play a critical role to overcome the contradiction.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention is through-air bonded nonwoven having a unitary structure.
  • the feature that the upper layer and the bottom layers are fully and evenly integrated in a fiber level may contribute to the advantageous properties of the nonwoven of the present invention.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention is carded air-through nonwoven having a unitary structure.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention is spunbond nonwoven.
  • a basis weight of the nonwoven of the present invention may be appropriately selected depending on the nonwoven application.
  • the nonwoven may have the integral basis weight of the first layer and the second layer of the nonwoven from about 10g/m 2 to about 100g/m 2 , or from about 35g/m 2 to about 70g/m 2 .
  • the integral basis weight of the nonwoven is in the range of from about 30g/m 2 to about 70 g/m 2 , or from about 15g/m 2 to about 40g/m 2 , or from about 12g/m 2 to about 35g/m 2 .
  • the nonwoven comprises a first layer forming the top surface of the nonwoven and a second layer forming the bottom surface of the nonwoven.
  • the nonwoven may include at least one intermediate layer between the first layer and the second layer.
  • the first layer of the nonwoven of the present invention may comprise hydrophobic fibers.
  • the first layer may essentially consist of hydrophobic fibers.
  • Constituting fibers of the first layer may be natural fibers, synthetic fibers or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.
  • the first layer comprises thermoplastic fibers.
  • the hydrophobic fibers may be thermoplastic fibers which can selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyethers, polyamides, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polysaccharides, and combinations thereof. Additionally, other synthetic fibers such as rayon, polyethylene, and polypropylene fibers can be used within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • Thermoplastic fibers may be single component fibers (i.e., single synthetic material or a mixture to make up the entire fiber) , multicomponent fibers, such as bicomponent fibers (i.e., the fiber is divided into regions, the regions including two or more different synthetic materials or mixtures thereof) , and combinations thereof.
  • Hydrophilic fibers may be rendered hydrophobic by treatment with a hydrophobic treatment such as a hydrophobic surfactant, e.g., by spraying or kiss roll coating hydrophilic fibers with a hydrophobic treatment, by dipping fibers into a hydrophobic treatment or by including a hydrophobic treatment as part of the polymer melt in producing thermoplastic fibers. Upon melting and resolidification, the treatment will tend to remain at the surfaces of the fiber.
  • a hydrophobic treatment such as a hydrophobic surfactant
  • the first layer may comprise semi-synthetic fibers made from polymers, specifically hydroxyl polymers.
  • the topsheet may also comprise semi-synthetic fibers made from polymers, specifically hydroxyl polymers.
  • suitable hydroxyl polymers include polyvinyl alcohol, starch, starch derivatives, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, cellulose derivatives such as viscose, gums, arabinans, galactans, Lyocell and combinations thereof.
  • the first layer may also comprise absorbent fibers. Some examples of absorbent fibers include cotton, pulp, rayon or regenerated cellulose or combinations thereof.
  • the first layer may also comprise cellulose-based fibers which may be selected from the group consisting of wheat straw fibers, rice straw fibers, flax fibers, bamboo fibers, cotton fibers, jute fibers, hemp fibers, sisal fibers, bagasse fibers, hesperaloe fibers, and combinations thereof.
  • first layer may include, but are not limited to: spunbonded nonwovens; carded nonwovens; carded air through nonwovens; spunlace nonwovens, needle punched nonwovens and nonwovens with relatively specific properties to be able to be readily deformed.
  • the first layer can be formed from many processes, such as, for example, air laying processes, wetlaid processes, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, needle punching processes and carding processes.
  • the first layer is carded air through nonwoven. In another embodiment, the first layer is spunbond nonwoven.
  • Hydrophobic fibers constituting the first layer 1 may have a contact angle no lower than about 95 degrees, or no lower than about 100 degrees.
  • the constituent fibers of the first layer 1 may have a contact angle no greater than 150 degrees, or no greater than 130 degrees, according to Contact Angle Test.
  • the hydrophobicity of the constituent fibers can be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the degree of hydrophobilization treatment of the thermoplastic fibers, for example, the type and content of the hydrophobic treatment.
  • Hydrophobic fibers constituting the first layer may have a fiber fineness no greater than 4 denier, or no greater than 2.5 denier, or no greater than 2 denier, or no greater than 1.5 denier, or no greater than 1.2 denier.
  • the first layer may have a basis weight from about 5g/m 2 to about 50g/m 2 , or from about from about 8g/m 2 to about 30g/m 2 , or from about 8g/m 2 to about 25g/m 2 .
  • the optional second layer of the nonwoven of the present invention may comprise hydrophilic fibers.
  • the second layer may essentially consist of hydrophobic fibers.
  • Constituting fibers of the second layer may be natural fibers, synthetic fibers or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.
  • the second layer comprises thermoplastic fibers.
  • the list of synthetic fibers corresponds to the list disclosed above for the topsheet and the first layer.
  • Hydrophobic fibers may be rendered hydrophilic by treatment with a hydrophilic treatment such as a hydrophilic surfactant, e.g., by spraying hydrophobic thermoplastic with a hydrophilic treatment, by dipping the fiber into a treatment or by including a hydrophilic treatment as part of the polymer melt in producing thermoplastic fibers. Upon melting and resolidification, the treatment will tend to remain at the surfaces of the fiber.
  • a hydrophilic treatment such as a hydrophilic surfactant
  • Hydrophilic fibers constituting the second layer may have a fiber fineness no greater than 6 denier, or no greater than 4 denier, or no greater than 2 denier.
  • Hydrophilic fibers constituting the second layer may have a contact angle no greater than about 90 degrees, or no greater than about 30 degrees, or no greater than about 10 degrees, or zero degree, according to the Contact Angle Test.
  • the second layer may have a basis weight from about 5 to about 70g/m 2 , or from about 10 to about 60g/m 2 , or about 10 to about 25g/m 2 .
  • first layer except for the second layer comprising hydrophilic fibers, are equally applicable to the first layer in a topsheet comprising a first and a second layers.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention may comprise a plurality of apertures in a clustered aperture pattern.
  • the term “clustered apertures” herein intends to mean an aperture pattern wherein at least one aperture having at least three adjacent aperture wherein the one aperture and each of the at least three adjacent aperture have an edge-to-edge space S (shortest space between an edge of one aperture to an edge of an adjacent aperture) no greater than about 2.5mm, preferably no greater than 2mm.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention may comprise a plurality of apertures having a clustered aperture pattern
  • the clustered aperture patten comprises a first unit comprising an aperture having at least three adjacent aperture where the aperture and each of the at least three adjacent aperture have an edge-to-edge space S (shortest space between an edge of one aperture to an edge of an adjacent aperture) no greater than about 2.5mm; and a second unit comprising an aperture having at least three adjacent aperture wherein the aperture and each of the at least three adjacent aperture have an edge-to-edge space S no greater than about 2.5mm, wherein one aperture in the first unit and one aperture in the second unit have an edge-to-edge space S no greater than about 10mm.
  • Fig. 2 shows a cluster aperture patten having aperture 5a having at least 3 adjacent apertures 5b, 5c and 5d where each edge-to-edge space S between aperture 5a and each of apertures 5b, 5c and 5d is less than 2.5mm.
  • Fig. 4A shows another clustered aperture pattern where aperture 5a has 3 adjacent apertures 5b, 5c and 5d where each edge-to-edge space S between aperture 5a and each of apertures 5b, 5c and 5d is 1mm, 1mm, and about 1.5 mm, respectively.
  • Fig. 4B shows another clustered aperture pattern where aperture 5a has 3 adjacent apertures 5b, 5c and 5d where each edge-to-edge space S between aperture 5a and each of apertures 5b, 5c and 5d is about 1mm, about 1mm, and 1.5 mm, respectively.
  • aperture pattern in Fig. 5 has non-clustered apertures where aperture 5a has 3 adjacent apertures 5b, 5c and 5d where each edge-to-edge space S between aperture 5a and each of apertures 5b, 5c and 5d is 2mm, 2mm, and about 3mm, respectively; and aperture 5e has at least 3 adjacent apertures 5f, 5g and 5h where each edge-to-edge space S between aperture 5e and each of apertures 5f, 5g and 5h is 2mm, 2mm, and about 3mm, respectively.
  • Apertures 5c and 5f have an edge-to-edge space about 31mm.
  • the apertures may vary in shape.
  • the shape of the apertures as seen from the first surface of the first layer may be circular, elliptic, rectangular or polygonal.
  • the apertures have a circular shape, an elliptic shape or a polygonal shape.
  • the tridimensional shape of the apertures may be cylindrical (e.g. with a circular or elliptic base) , prismatic (e.g. with a polygonal base) or truncated cone or pyramidal.
  • each of the apertures 5 may have a side wall 6.
  • the side wall 6 may extend outwardly, away from non-apertured area of the second surface of the topsheet.
  • the side walls of the apertures may form funnels or channels.
  • the apertures may be tapered and take a conical shape such that the diameter of the aperture is larger at a part of the aperture proximate to the top surface of the nonwoven than the diameter of the aperture at the bottom edge of the aperture.
  • Such tapered configuration helps to reduce the risk of rewet, i.e. of body fluids passing back from components underneath the topsheet (such as the absorbent core) into and through the topsheet.
  • rewet occurs predominantly through the apertures.
  • the tapered shape of the apertures can help to reduce rewet, as the diameter of the aperture towards the absorbent core is smaller than the diameter of the aperture in the first layer.
  • the plurality of apertures may also vary in width.
  • the size of apertures may be determined to achieve the desired fluid and/or air penetration performance and other performances expected by wearers. If the apertures are too small, the fluids may not pass through the apertures, either due to poor alignment of the fluid source and the aperture location or due to runny fecal masses, for example, having a diameter greater than the apertures. If the apertures are too large, the area of skin that may be contaminated by “rewet” from the article is increased.
  • Each of the plurality of apertures may have a size ranging from 0.2 mm 2 to 1.5 mm 2 , from 0.2 mm 2 to 1.0 mm 2 , or from 0.25 mm 2 to 0.5 mm 2 , and/or a diameter ranging from 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm, or from 0.3 mm to 1 mm, or from 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm.
  • the plurality of apertures may have regular shapes selected from the group consisting of circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, polygon, hourglass, star, and any combinations thereof.
  • Figs. 4A and 4B are top schematic view of exemplary nonwovens having clustered apertures.
  • Fig. 5 is a top schematic view of a nonwoven having plurality of apertures without clustered apertures.
  • clustered apertures enable fluid to penetrate faster than non-clustered apertures due to two reasons. Firstly, apertures adjacent to each other with an edge-to-edge space S no more than 2.5mm, preferably no more than 2mm can drive more amount of fluid or high density fluid to penetrate a nonwoven topsheet than non-clustered apertures. Secondly, clustered apertures may make nonwoven between apertures are more condensed compared with no aperture area or nonwoven in non-clustered apertures, and this condensation contrast may drive fluid to be absorbed on the clustered aperture area.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention exhibits a rapid acquisition of the body fluid, maintain dryness of the top surface as it can refrain the body fluid from flowing back to the top surface under pressures.
  • the nonwoven of the present invention can be preferably used in applications in which the nonwoven is in contact with the skin, specifically applications in which the first layer constitutes the surface that is in contact with the skin in absorbent articles.
  • Fig. 6 is a plan view of the exemplary sanitary napkin 100 in a flattened-out configuration and the garment facing side turned up.
  • Fig. 7 is a lateral cross-section view along 7-7 of the absorbent article of Fig. 6.
  • a sanitary napkin 100 for example, comprises a topsheet 24 comprising nonwoven 30, and has a wearer facing surface and a garment facing surface positioned opposite to the wearer facing surface.
  • the top surface 32 of the nonwoven 30 forms the wearer facing surface of the sanitary napkin 100.
  • the absorbent article further comprises a backsheet 26 having a garment facing surface and a user facing surface positioned oppositely to the garment facing surface, the backsheet 26 being at least partially joined to the topsheet 24.
  • the absorbent article also comprises an absorbent core 28 positioned between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26.
  • the absorbent article further comprises a fluid management layer 27 positioned between the topsheet 24 and the absorbent core 28.
  • the absorbent article may further comprise additional acquisition and/or distribution layer (or system) or a secondary topsheet 25, and/or a pair of flaps or wings 23.
  • the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, the fluid management layer 27, and the absorbent core 28 can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations.
  • the backsheet 26 and the topsheet 24 can be secured together in a variety of ways.
  • the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 can be joined to each other by using an adhesive, heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or a crimp seal.
  • a fluid impermeable crimp seal can resist lateral migration ( "wicking" ) of fluid through the edges of the product, inhibiting side soiling of the user's undergarments.
  • the sanitary napkin can have panty-fastening adhesive disposed on the garment facing side of backsheet 26.
  • the panty-fastening adhesive can be any of known adhesives used in the art for this purpose, and can be covered prior to use by a release paper, as is well known in the art. If flaps or wings are present, panty fastening adhesive can be applied to the garment facing side so as to contact and adhere to the underside of the user’s panties.
  • An absorbent article according to the present invention comprises a topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the topsheet comprises the nonwoven according to the present invention.
  • the nonwoven according to the present invention may be manufactured via various process known in the industry.
  • the first layer and the second layer may be produced separately and bonded or integrated together for example, via thermal and/or glue application.
  • Each of the first layer and the second layer may be from a carded web, air-laid web, wet-laid web, and spunbond web, and the like.
  • the nonwoven according to the present invention may be manufactured in a continuous process.
  • the nonwoven is produced by laying a first fibrous web comprising hydrophobic fibers on a conveyor belt, overlaying a second fibrous web comprising hydrophilic fibers on the first fibrous web to obtain a composite fibrous web, and subjecting the composite fibrous web to thermal treatment in order to thermal bond at least a portion of the hydrophobic fibers and hydrophilic fibers.
  • the nonwoven is produced using parallel carding machines via a process comprising the steps of forming a first fibrous web comprising hydrophobic fibers, forming a second fibrous web comprising a hydrophilic fibers, forming a composite fibrous web by overlaying the second fibrous web on the first fibrous web; and subjecting the composite fibrous web to thermal treatment in order to thermal bond at least a portion of the hydrophobic fibers and hydrophilic fibers.
  • the bonding treatment of a composite fibrous web can be conducted using any conventionally known fiber bonding method.
  • Examples of such a bonding method include hot air through-type thermal bonding and ultrasonic bonding.
  • Aperture of precursor nonwoven can be conducted using any conventionally known nonwoven aperture method.
  • An exemplary aperture equipment is a pair of rolls comprising a pair of rolls.
  • a rectangular specimen measuring 10mm x 50mm is cut from a law material nonwoven or a topsheet of a disposable absorbent product taking care not to touch the surface of the specimen or to disturb the structure of the material.
  • the specimen has a length of (5cm) aligned with a longitudinal centerline of the article.
  • the specimen is handled gently by the edges using forceps and is mounted flat in the view of a microscope such as Keyence VHX 5000 or equivalent. An appropriate magnification and light source of the equipment can be adjusted to make the specimen shown clearly.
  • a water droplet with a volume of approximately 0.05ml is gently deposited onto the specimen from in a close distance no longer than 1cm above tested surface of the specimen.
  • Keyence VHX 5000 or equivalent instrument is used to obtain a high-resolution image of a water droplet on the tested surface of the nonwoven specimen. These steps are repeated to obtain multiple water droplet images. Suitable water droplet images where each water droplet is oriented such that the projection of the water droplet extending from the nonwoven surface is approximately maximized.
  • the contact angle between the water droplet and the specimen is measured to the nearest 0.1 degree directly from the image taken as is shown via lines 3700 in Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B.
  • Fig. 8A is an exemplary image of a water droplet having a contact angle greater than 90°.
  • Fig. 8B is an exemplary image of a water droplet having a contact angle less than 90°.
  • the measurement is performed on an area of a test nonwoven where no aperture exists.
  • Five separate droplets are imaged from which ten contact angles, i.e., one on each side of each imaged droplet are measured.
  • the arithmetic mean of the ten contact angle values is calculated to the nearest 0.1 degree and reported as the surface contact angle.
  • AMF is composed of a mixture of defibrinated sheep blood, a phosphate buffered saline solution and a mucous component, and has a viscosity between 7.15cSt to 8.65cSt at 23 ⁇ 1°C.
  • Viscosity on the AMF is performed using a low viscosity rotary viscometer such as Cannon LV-2020 Rotary Viscometer with UL adapter (Cannon Instrument Co., State College, US) or equivalent.
  • the appropriate size spindle for the viscosity range is selected, and instrument is operated and calibrated as per the manufacturer. Measurements are taken at 23 ⁇ 1 °C and at 60 rpm. Results are reported to the nearest 0.01cSt.
  • Defibrinated sheep blood with a packed cell volume of 38%or greater collected under sterile conditions available from Cleveland Scientific, Inc., Bath, OH, US) or equivalent is used.
  • the phosphate buffered saline solution consists of two individually prepared solutions (Solution A and Solution B) .
  • Solution A To prepare 1L of Solution A, add 1.38 ⁇ 0.005g of sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate and 8.50 ⁇ 0.005g of sodium chloride to a 1000 mL volumetric flask and add distilled water to volume. Mix thoroughly.
  • Solution B To prepare 1L of Solution B, add 1.42 ⁇ 0.005g of sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous and 8.50 ⁇ 0.005g of sodium chloride to a 1000 mL volumetric flask and add distilled water to volume. Mix thoroughly.
  • Add 450 ⁇ 10mL of Solution B to a 1000mL beaker and stir at low speed on a stir plate. Insert a calibrated pH probe (accurate to 0.1) into the beaker of Solution B and add enough Solution A, while stirring, to bring the pH to 7.2 ⁇ 0.1.
  • the mucous component is a mixture of the phosphate buffered saline solution, potassium hydroxide aqueous solution, gastric mucin and lactic acid aqueous solution.
  • the amount of gastric mucin added to the mucous component directly affects the final viscosity of the prepared AMF.
  • a successful range of gastric mucin is usually between 38 to 50 grams.
  • To prepare about 500mL of the mucous component add 460 ⁇ 10mL of the previously prepared phosphate buffered saline solution and 7.5 ⁇ 0.5mL of the 10%w/v potassium hydroxide aqueous solution to a 1000mL heavy duty glass beaker.
  • the qualified AMF should be refrigerated at 4°C unless intended for immediate use.
  • AMF may be stored in an air-tight container at 4 °C for up to 48 hours after preparation. Prior to testing, the AMF must be brought to 23°C ⁇ 1°C. Any unused portion is discarded after testing is complete.
  • Rewet is measured for an absorbent article loaded with Artificial Menstrual Fluid ( “AMF” ) as described herein.
  • AMF Artificial Menstrual Fluid
  • the fluid amounts left on a topsheet, i.e. rewet, under pressure of 0.1psi and 0.5psi are measured after 3.0ml, 6.0ml, 9.0 ml and 12.0ml AMF are dispensed. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23 °C ⁇ 2 °C and 50% ⁇ 2%relative humidity.
  • Test products are removed from all packaging using care not to press down or pull on the products while handling. No attempt is made to smooth out wrinkles.
  • the test products are conditioned at 23 °C ⁇ 2 °C and 50% ⁇ 2%relative humidity for at least 2 hours prior to testing.
  • test product Place the test product onto a flat, horizontal surface with the body side facing up and load a strikethrough plate on the center of the test product to apply a pressure of 0.25psi on the test product.
  • the strikethrough plate 9001 is constructed of Plexiglas with an overall dimension of 10.2cm long by 10.2cm wide by 3.2cm tall.
  • a longitudinal channel 9007 running the length of the plate is 13mm deep and 28mm wide at the top plane of the plate, with lateral walls that slope downward at 65° to a 15mm wide base.
  • a central test fluid well 9009 is 26mm long, 24mm deep and 38mm wide at the top plane of the plate with lateral walls that slope downward at 65° to a 15mm wide base.
  • the test fluid reservoir 9003 has an overall length ( “L” ) of 25mm, width ( “W” ) of 15mm, and depth ( “D” ) of 8mm.
  • the longitudinal legs of the reservoir are 4mm wide and have rounded ends with a radius 9010 of 2mm.
  • the legs are 3.5mm apart.
  • the central strut has a radius 9011 of 3mm and houses the opposing electrodes 9004 6mm apart.
  • the lateral sides of the reservoir bow outward at a radius 9012 of 14mm bounded by the overall width, W, of 15mm.
  • Electrodes 9004 are embedded in the plate 9001, connecting the exterior banana jacks 9006 to the inside wall of the fluid reservoir 9003. A circuit interval timer is plugged into the jacks 9006 to the inside wall 9005 of the fluid reservoir 9003.
  • the same test is conducted by applying the required mass to generate 0.5 psi pressure on the top of the test product and obtain rewet at 0.5 psi.
  • the area of a stain visible on a topsheet of an absorbent article due to the fluid left on the topsheet is measured on topsheet images of test products acquired in Rewet Test above for the gush level of 3.0ml, 6.0ml, 9.0 ml and 12.0ml.
  • Image analysis is performed using image analysis program such as Image J software (version 1.52p or above, National Institute of Health, USA) or equivalent.
  • the image needs to be distance calibrated with an image of a ruler to give an image resolution, i.e. 7.95 pixels per mm.
  • topsheet Stain Size The area of the selected stain region on the topsheet is obtained and recorded as topsheet Stain Size to the nearest 0.01cm 2 . This entire procedure is repeated on three substantially similar replicate articles. The reported value is the average of the three individual recorded measurements for topsheet Stain Size to the nearest 0.01cm 2 .
  • Stain redness is indicated as redness saturation integral which is calculated based on the HSB color model using a color representation by three parameters: Hue, saturation and brightness.
  • Hue range 240-45 is selected for representative total red stain hue range on a topsheet of the test product. For selected 240-45 hue red stain area, saturation range is between 0-100. Pixels for each saturation from 0-100 is counted where saturation level 35-100 is defined as TS stain saturation range similar as human visual judgement.
  • Stain Sau Integral is calculated using the equation below.
  • *PX is defined as pixel numbers under corresponding saturation.
  • P50 is pixel number with saturation level 50.
  • Acquisition time is measured for an absorbent article loaded with AMF as described herein, using a strikethrough plate and an electronic circuit interval timer. The time required for the absorbent article to acquire a dose of AMF is recorded. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23 °C ⁇ 2 °C and 50% ⁇ 2%relative humidity.
  • the strikethrough plate 9001 is constructed of Plexiglas with an overall dimension of 10.2cm long by 10.2cm wide by 3.2cm tall.
  • a longitudinal channel 9007 running the length of the plate is 13mm deep and 28mm wide at the top plane of the plate, with lateral walls that slope downward at 65° to a 15mm wide base.
  • a central test fluid well 9009 is 26mm long, 24mm deep and 38mm wide at the top plane of the plate with lateral walls that slope downward at 65° to a 15mm wide base.
  • the test fluid reservoir 9003 has an overall length ( “L” ) of 25mm, width ( “W” ) of 15mm, and depth ( “D” ) of 8mm.
  • the longitudinal legs of the reservoir are 4mm wide and have rounded ends with a radius 9010 of 2mm.
  • the legs are 3.5mm apart.
  • the central strut has a radius 9011 of 3mm and houses the opposing electrodes 9004 6mm apart.
  • the lateral sides of the reservoir bow outward at a radius 9012 of 14mm bounded by the overall width, W, of 15mm.
  • Electrodes 9004 are embedded in the plate 9001, connecting the exterior banana jacks 9006 to the inside wall of the fluid reservoir 9003.
  • a circuit interval timer is plugged into the jacks 9006 to the inside wall 9005 of the fluid reservoir 9003.
  • a circuit interval timer (not shown in the drawings) is plugged into the jacks 9006, and monitors the impedance between the two electrodes 9004, and measures the time from introduction of the AMF into reservoir 9003 until the AMF drains from the reservoir.
  • the timer has a resolution of 0.01 sec.
  • Test products are removed from all packaging using care not to press down or pull on the products while handling. No attempt is made to smooth out wrinkles.
  • the test samples are conditioned at 23 °C ⁇ 2 °C and 50% ⁇ 2%relative humidity for at least 2 hours prior to testing.
  • the required mass of the strikethrough plate must be calculated for the specific dimensions of the test article such that a confining pressure of 1.72kPa is applied. Determine the longitudinal and lateral midpoint of the article’s absorbent core. Measure and record the lateral width of the core to the nearest 0.1 cm. The required mass of the strikethrough plate is calculated as the core width multiplied by strikethrough plate length (10.2 cm) multiplied by 17.6gf/cm 2 and recorded to the nearest 0.1 g. Add lead shot to the plate to achieve the calculated mass.
  • test fluid reservoir 9003 Using a mechanical pipette, accurately pipette 3.00mL ⁇ 0.05mL of AMF into the test fluid reservoir 9003.
  • the fluid is dispensed, without splashing, along the molded lip of the bottom of the reservoir 9003 within a period of 3 seconds or less.
  • An ImageJ plugin “Local Thickness” is applied to the image.
  • the local thickness analysis measures the diameter of the largest sphere that fits inside the object and contains the point for each point, i.e., foreground pixel in an image. (reference: “New algorithms for Euclidean distance transformation on an n-dimensional digitized picture with applications” , T. Saito and J. Toriwaki, Pattern Recognition 27, 1994, 1551-1565) . Convert the image type of local thickness map to 16 bits.
  • Substrate 3 was produced using Substrate 1 by forming apertures in a pattern shown in Fig. 2 on Substrate 1.
  • Substrate 3 has aperture 5a having at least 3 adjacent apertures 5b, 5c and 5d where each edge-to-edge space S between aperture 5a and each of apertures 5b, 5c and 5d is 1mm, 1mm, and 2mm, respectively; and aperture 5e having at least 3 adjacent apertures 5f, 5g and 5h where each edge-to-edge space S between aperture 5e and each of apertures 5f, 5g and 5h is 1.5mm, 1.5mm, and 1mm, respectively.
  • apertures 5d and 5h have an edge-to-edge space less than 10mm.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross section image of Substrate 3 having unitary structure where the first layer 1 and the second layer 2 are intermixed at the interface between the two layers instead of having a definite boundary between the two layers.
  • Substrate 4 was produced according to the process disclosed with respect to Substrate 1 using 21 gsm 1.5 denier hydrophobic PE/PET bicomponent fibers for the first layer and 13gsm 2 denier hydrophilic PE/PP bicomponent fibers for the second layer.
  • Substrate 5 was produced using Substrate 4 by forming apertures in a pattern shown in Fig. 5 on Substrate 4.
  • Substrate 6 was produced using Substrate 4 by forming apertures in a pattern shown in Fig. 2 on Substrate 4.
  • Substrate 7 24gsm of a mixture of 60%1.5 denier hydrophobic PE/PET bicomponent fibers and 40%1.5 denier hydrophilic PE/PET bicomponent fibers were laid down on a conveyer belt to obtain a fibrous web.
  • the fibrous web was subjected to thermal treatment at the temperatures 130°C -140°C to obtain nonwoven.
  • the thermal treatment was performed using a hot air through-type thermal treatment apparatus with a breathable conveyor belt. Apertures in a pattern shown in Fig. 2 were formed on the nonwoven to fabricate Substrate 7.
  • Substrate 8 24gsm carded air-through nonwoven was fabricated using 1.5 denier hydrophobic PE/PEP sheath/core bicomponent fibers (fiber contact angle of 116.0°) . Apertures having a pattern shown in Fig. 2 were formed on the nonwoven to fabricate Substrate 8.
  • Substrates 9 and 10 were produced using Substrate 1 by forming apertures in patterns shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B on Substrate 1, respectively.
  • Substrate 10 referring to Fig. 4B, having a clustered aperture pattern where aperture 5a has 3 adjacent apertures 5b, 5c and 5d where each edge-to-edge space S between aperture 5a and each of apertures 5b, 5c and 5d is about 1mm, about 1mm, and 1.5 mm, respectively.
  • Contact angles on a top surface and an opposite bottom surface in nonwovens were measured according to the Contact Angle Test, and indicated in Table 1 below. Contact angles of Substrates 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 and 10 were not tested given Substrates 2, 3, 9 and 10 are the same as Substrate 1, and Substrates 5 and 6 are the same as Substrate 4 in nonwoven composition and structure except having apertures.
  • Sanitary napkins 1-10 as exemplary absorbent articles having topsheets made by nonwoven substrates in Example 1 above were fabricated using a common secondary topsheet, absorbent core and backsheet.
  • Sanitary napkin 3 differs from Sanitary napkins 1 and 2 only in the topsheet in such a way that Substrate 3 has clustered apertures while Substrates 1 and 2 do not.
  • Sanitary napkin 3 compared to Sanitary napkins 1 and 2 exhibits significantly improvement in acquisition time and rewet in both a light pressure and an increased pressure.
  • Sanitary napkin 3 compared to Sanitary napkins 1 and 2 has a significant small stain area a stain redness.
  • Sanitary napkin 3 compared to Sanitary napkin 7 which comprises a topsheet made by a nonwoven substrate from a mixture of hydrophobic fibers and hydrophilic fibers, exhibits parity acquisition time, and significant small values in rewet in both a light pressure and an increased pressure.
  • Sanitary napkin 3 compared to Sanitary napkin 7 has a significant small stain area and a stain redness.
  • Sanitary napkin 3 compared to Sanitary napkin 8 which comprises a topsheet made by a nonwoven substrate from 100%hydrophobic fibers, exhibits dramatic improvement in acquisition time while still having satisfactory rewet values in both a light pressure and an increased pressure, and a stain area.
  • Sanitary napkin 6 differs from Sanitary napkins 4 and 5 only in the topsheet where Substrate 6 differs from Substrates 4 and 5 only in aperture pattern.
  • Sanitary napkin 6 compared to Sanitary napkins 4 and 5 exhibits significantly improvement in acquisition time and rewet in both a light pressure and an increased pressure.
  • Sanitary napkin 6 compared to Sanitary napkins 4 and 5 has a significant small stain area a stain redness.

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un substrat de non-tissé présentant une surface supérieure et une surface inférieure opposée, et comprenant une pluralité d'ouvertures, la surface supérieure présentant un premier angle de contact inférieur ou égal à environ 90 degrés tel que mesuré selon un test d'angle de contact, la surface inférieure présentant un second angle de contact inférieur à environ 90 degrés tel que mesuré selon un test d'angle de contact, et la pluralité d'ouvertures comprenant au moins une ouverture comportant au moins trois ouvertures adjacentes qui sont espacées d'un espace bord à bord inférieur ou égal à environ 2,5 mm ; et un article absorbant comportant une feuille supérieure comprenant le non-tissé.
EP22840009.9A 2022-12-09 2022-12-09 Non-tissé à ouvertures et articles absorbants le comprenant Pending EP4629949A1 (fr)

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JP2017533021A (ja) * 2014-11-06 2017-11-09 ザ プロクター アンド ギャンブル カンパニー 有孔ウェブ及びその製造方法
RU2724844C1 (ru) 2017-03-15 2020-06-25 Као Корпорейшн Впитывающее изделие
WO2019075689A1 (fr) * 2017-10-19 2019-04-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Feuille supérieure comprenant des fibres naturelles ayant une bonne résistance mécanique
WO2019075688A1 (fr) * 2017-10-19 2019-04-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Feuille supérieure comprenant des fibres naturelles
CN113710289A (zh) * 2019-04-17 2021-11-26 宝洁公司 具有三维热熔融粘结的层合体的吸收制品
JP2021078872A (ja) * 2019-11-20 2021-05-27 大王製紙株式会社 使い捨ておむつ

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